Boreham Wood will be looking to kickstart their National League campaign when they take on Hartlepool United at the Mangata Pay UK Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The hosts are in 18th place after a difficult start to the campaign, while the visitors are in ninth, having fallen out of the playoffs in recent weeks.
Match preview
Boreham Wood reached the semi-final of the National League playoffs last season, but they have struggled to replicate their form in the 2023-24 campaign and currently sit just one point above the relegation zone.
That said, it is still very early days, and the Wood are only seven points off the playoffs, meaning they could easily still make a push for the top seven if they are able to turn their form around.
Over the last 10 games, Luke Garrard's side have collected just eight points, having won just once in that time period, and they are now on a four-game winless run.
In their last two matches, Boreham Wood have come up against relatively easy opposition, but they have taken just one point, which came in a 2-2 draw away at 22nd-placed Fylde.
Last time out, the Wood lost 3-1 away at Ebbsfleet United, continuing their poor run of form, but they are now set to come up against another struggling side, which may boost their confidence of picking up their second home win of the season.
Indeed, Hartlepool United have been in very poor form as of late, winning just one of their last six games, but that victory came on the road, defeating Dagenham & Redbridge 1-0 at the Chigwell Construction Stadium.
After suffering relegation from League Two last season, the Pools will be looking to bounce back at the first opportunity, but they have been on the receiving end of some losses that will be tough to take, coming up short in a 5-2 defeat at Oxford City last month.
In their first-ever competitive meeting with Dorking Wanderers on Saturday, John Askey's side slumped to their third home loss on the spin, with Jason Prior and Tom Blair finding the back of the net in the second half.
As such, Hartlepool head into Wednesday's game with a point to prove, but they do not have the greatest of records at the Mangata Pay UK Stadium, drawing three of their last four visits to the ground.
Team News
Boreham Wood will be without centre-back Billy Sass-Davies, as the 23-year-old was shown a red card in the last match, meaning David Stephens is likely to come in for his eighth appearance of the National League season.
Angelo Balanta has been very impressive over the past few weeks, scoring four goals in his last three games, and the 33-year-old is set to lead the line for the hosts.
Hartlepool United look very poor in front of goal, failing to score in three of their last five games, and Askey could switch things up in attack, with Joshua Umerah potentially coming back into the side, replacing Joe Grey.
Osazee Aghatise was handed his first National League start in the last match, but he has been limited to substitute appearances for the majority of the season, and Matty Dolan may come back into the side.
Boreham Wood possible starting lineup:
Ashmore; Agbontohoma, Coxe, Ilesanmi, Stephens; Robinson, Payne, Sousa, Marsh; Balanta, Ndlovu
Hartlepool United possible starting lineup:
Jameson; Seaman, Onariase, Johnson, Hendrie, Ferguson; Finney, Crawford, Aghatise; Umerah, Dieseruvwe
We say: Boreham Wood 1-1 Hartlepool United
Boreham Wood and Hartlepool United have drawn three of their last four matches at the Mangata Pay UK Stadium, and they have both been in poor form over the past few weeks.
As such, it would not be a surprise if the spoils are shared again this weekend, and we expect the two sides to cancel each other out.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Dominic Lund
